To consider the outcome of the consultations by Biggleswade Academy Trust and the Governing Body of St Andrews Lower School, Biggleswade, each to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017.

1.      That the responses received to the consultations by Biggleswade Academy Trust and the Governing Body of St Andrews Church of England VC Lower School, Biggleswade, each to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017 be noted.

2.      That the commencement of capital expenditure, as set out in the report, subject in respect of Biggleswade Academy Trust to the approval of the proposal by the Education Funding Agency, and subject to the grant of planning permissions under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that provided the outcome of the consultations by Biggleswade Academy Trust and the Governing Body of St Andrews Church of England VC Lower School, Biggleswade each to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017. 

In response to a question, the Executive Member for Education and Skills confirmed that the capital spend as part of the New School Places Programme was being monitored closely and that discussions were planned to explore the scope to drive greater efficiency and reduced expenditure.

Reason for decision:  To ensure that the Council continued to meet its statutory obligations to secure sufficient school places for children in the Biggleswade area.

RESOLVED

1.      that the responses received to the consultations by Biggleswade Academy Trust and the Governing Body of St Andrews Church of England VC Lower School, Biggleswade, each to expand by 1 form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2017 be noted; and

2.      that the commencement of capital expenditure, as set out in the report, subject in respect of Biggleswade Academy Trust to the approval of the proposal by the Education Funding Agency, and subject to the grant of planning permissions under Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, be approved.